ASHA workers launched protests for better pay and health insurance
WHAT IS ASHA?
ASHA is an acronym for Accredited Social Health Activist, a government installed worker who works towards the betterment of the health of their respective communities. They are instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Indian Government and work under the National Rural Health Mission. The target was to enrich every village in India with ASHA workers. Currently, barring the states where ASHA is underway, there are 8,59,331 ASHAs in 32 states and union territories in India.
THE REASON FOR THE PROTESTS
During these crucial times, ASHA workers have been involved in the coronavirus frontline work. Apart from serving fundamental healthcare to the village, ASHAs have been laden with extra work and longer shifts due to COVID-19. They are now required to keep track of the health of the people in quarantine. They have been asked to prepare reports of patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) and Influenza Like Illness (ILI).
These documentation efforts place these workers in an extremely vulnerable position. They are now working under conditions with extreme health risks, with a constant danger of contracting the deadly virus.
ASHAs working during COVID-19
Moreover, ASHAs work extreme hours for meager pay. Some reports say, during COVID-19, ASHAs are working 14 hours a day with an honorarium pay of only Rs 4,500. This pay, even with government subsidies, does not cover the costs of a household in today’s economy. There is also no fixed minimum wage for ASHA workers. This implies that there is a larger scope for their exploitation. Some workers have also revealed that they have not been paid their due wages in months.
Besides, ASHA workers have to work in conditions that are not always favorable. They are expected to reach far-flung and difficult to navigate areas in adverse weather conditions for their work.
THE PROTESTS
In light of this, during the coronavirus quarantine period, ASHA workers across the country have launched protests for better pay and basic health requirements. These protests have been occurring frequently and around 6 lakh ASHA workers joined a 2-day nationwide protest for the realization of their demands back in the beginning of August 2020. It is important to note that almost all of these workers are women and, thus, are more economically and socially vulnerable.
ASHA protestors in Bengaluru demanded a minimum wage of Rs 21,000 a month for sustenance, proper PPE kits for safety, and health insurance for their families. They said that since they are involved in documenting COVID-19 data and keeping track of patients, it is likely that they can become carriers of the virus themselves. 10 unions were involved in these protests including the Indian National Trade Union Congress, the All India Trade Union Congress, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, and the Self-Employed Women’s Association.
A protest rally by ASHAs
The protestors have also expressed their discontent over the fact that the government has not given any compensation to the families of the health workers who have died due to the virus.
Considering that these ASHA workers and other health personnel are working in the frontlines during our battle with the coronavirus pandemic and are the backbone of the health conditions in villages, they have not been accorded the societal value they deserve. It is high time that they are accorded their due.